The strength of color is one of the most important factors in determining the value of a natural color diamond. The value of a natural color diamond increases with the intensity of the most prominent color within the diamond.
To be worthy of the Chocolate Diamonds® name, a diamond must meet rigorous specifications. First, it must be a natural color brown diamond, responsibly sourced from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia. It must have a certain hue, tone and saturation, rating between C4 and C7 on Argyle’s color scale. These are the richer, deeper champagne colors, and correspond to the fancy dark browns on the Gemological Institute of America’s color chart. And the clarity must be SI or higher — Slightly Included means it’s “eye clean,” so that inclusions aren’t visible to the naked eye. Note that fewer than 5% of the diamonds from the Argyle mine meet these standards. Stones larger than 20 points (1/5 carat) are the top 5% of those, and Chocolate Diamonds® of one carat or larger are 1 in 10,000 — almost impossible to find. Of course, once the Chocolate Diamonds® are sourced from the mine, they are then cut to Le Vian’s exacting standards.
Read more about the Inside Story of Le Vian Chocolate Diamonds ®

Le Vian® has traditionally been recognized for finding and selecting rare, high quality, natural gems and diamonds for its collectors. Le Vian® obtained a registered trademark of Chocolate Diamonds®, so consumers would be assured that these branded diamonds are of the highest quality, meeting specific standards of what it takes to be a Chocolate Diamond®. In 2009, the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office agreed and awarded the Chocolate Diamonds® trademark to Le Vian®. Today, Chocolate Diamonds® is a recognized brand, and Le Vian® holds the registered trademark in countries around the world, spanning the Americas, the European Union, China, and the Middle East.

A natural color diamond is a unique diamond. Here’s why. The color results from a combination of three different elements — hue, tone, and saturation — and there are millions of combinations of these elements that create each diamond’s look. So, when you get a one-carat Chocolate Diamond®, all the many possible variations make each diamond unique. This is of course true of all natural-color diamonds, and it’s the reason they are so valued. People are looking for something different, something no other collector can get no matter how much they’re willing to pay.

Today, women find themselves in a world of mass production, where there are thousands of the same dress and other apparel sold across the country. Trying to stand out from the crowd and achieve a sense of individuality becomes a challenge when you’re fighting the tide of mass consumerism. That’s why Chocolate Diamonds® — and Le Vian’s original designs — appeal to women who want to have something as unique as they are.

Chocolate Diamonds® are brown or golden-hued diamonds, carefully selected for their rich, deep
colors. Only stones that meet Le Vian’s exacting standards of clarity, quality, and color will be
worthy of the name Chocolate Diamonds®. Le Vian starts with the top 5% of the brown diamonds
sourced from the Argyle Mine, then chooses only those that are larger than 1/5 carat. Typically,
only about 5% of those qualify. In other words, Chocolate Diamonds® are the top 5% of the top
5% of the golden-colored stones. Very special, indeed.

Chocolate Diamonds® come from the Argyle Diamond Mine in Australia. This is the same mine
that produces the majority of the world’s pink diamonds, which are some of the most valued
diamonds in the world. In fact, this is the same mine that produced the famous Argyle Pink
Jubilee, one of the largest pink diamonds ever found, and worth millions of dollars.

In a word, pressure. The diamonds are formed deep in the earth where they are subjected to an
incredible amount of heat and pressure. This causes the crystal lattice to distort in such a way
that the stone absorbs light in the blue region of the spectrum. The resulting reflected color you
see is anywhere from a light champagne to a rich cognac to the deep-colored stones we call
Chocolate Diamonds®.

Only Le Vian makes jewelry with Chocolate Diamonds®. In fact, the company trademarked the
brand to ensure that you’re getting the highest quality stones whenever you buy Chocolate
Diamonds®. These are sold through Le Vian’s network of authorized retailers.

Le Vian provides a guarantee in writing that their diamonds are genuine. You never need to
worry about getting an imitation or artificial stone when you buy a certified Chocolate Diamond®
from one of Le Vian’s authorized retailers. Also, if you buy a stone of 1/2 carat or larger, it will
be laser-inscribed with the Chocolate Diamonds® brand on the girdle.

According to Rio Tinto, the mining company that owns the Argyle mine where Chocolate
Diamonds come from, fewer than 1% of all polished diamonds produced in the world qualify as
Chocolate Diamonds®. And the larger stones are even rarer. For example, you can find one-carat
white diamonds everywhere, so they’re hardly unique. But Chocolate Diamonds® of 20 points (1/5
carat) or larger are 10,000 times rarer than white diamonds. No wonder they’re in such demand.

There’s a trend these days to “dressing down” and not being so ostentatious with flashy jewelry.
The trouble is, those traditional white diamonds can look a bit too showy, too sparkly. And a lot
of colored diamonds are simply beyond the reach of most people. Chocolate Diamonds® — with
their earthy, golden tones — perfectly suit the needs and desires of those who want something
they can wear with any outfit and any occasion. They are the most affordable fancy colored
diamonds you can find.

Le Vian is certified by the Responsible Jewellery Council as a responsible, ethical member of the
industry. This involves an audit of their supply chain for gold and diamond sourcing, and for
ethical business practices. Rio Tinto, the company that owns the Argyle Mine where Chocolate
Diamonds come from, is a founding member of the Responsible Jewellery Council and is
committed to being part of a responsible supply chain. And once the Argyle Mine runs out, Rio
Tinto has committed to filling the hole back up, reforesting the area, and bringing it back to its
original condition.